Christian political leadership Nigeria matters, says Tunde Bakare, urging believers to enter governance and help fix the country’s broken moral and political system

Nigerian pastor and former presidential candidate Tunde Bakare has made a passionate call for Christians to embrace active political involvement in Nigeria.

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He argued that Christian political leadership in Nigeria is essential to restore the country’s fading moral and governance structure.

Speaking on Channels Television, Bakare defended his decision to run alongside former President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2011 election. He explained it was not betrayal but a strategic effort to show that Christians can engage in national leadership.

“People called me a traitor for running on a Muslim-Muslim ticket. But that’s because they don’t understand the priesthood of Jesus Christ. We are made kings and priests, and kings operate in governance,” Bakare said.

He added that Christians are meant to be the salt and light of society, referencing biblical teachings. “If we remain in our churches and fail to engage the world, how do we change anything? If we do not maintain contact without contamination, we will never influence what’s happening.”

Bakare believes his 2011 involvement helped pave the way for future Christian leaders in politics, including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Quoting philosopher Edmund Burke, he said, “Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber.”

Responding to criticisms from fellow Christians about his alliance with Buhari, he stated, “I saw integrity and discipline in Buhari. He was not a man of many words, but his actions were deliberate. I never saw corruption in him during all the years we worked together.”

Bakare recalled Buhari’s trust in him during the APC formation, saying it reflected a decisive leadership style. Reflecting on Buhari’s death at 82 in London, he described him as a “great man who gave his all for Nigeria” and said he deserved a state burial.

He also blamed Nigeria’s dysfunction on structural issues rather than individual failings. “No matter how clean you are, if the system is dirty, you will struggle,” he said.

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Bakare concluded that Christian political leadership in Nigeria is not unholy, but necessary. “Politics is not a dirty game—it is the people in it that are dirty. And until the right people get involved, nothing will change.”